The expectation was that France would grow in confidence and extend their lead by continuing to expose Romania’s limitations – but the hoest were undermined by their vulnerable defence.
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Deschamps said: “The setting is the Stade de France and it is the opening game so it is certainly special, and this should set the tone for the whole tournament”.
France’s Antoine Griezmann, left, heads the ball towards the goal during the Euro 2016 Group A soccer match between France and Romania, at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, June 10, 2016.
There are six groups consisting of four teams in the tournament.
His move was justified moments from time, when the midfielder struck his stunning victor, before being substituted in tears to a standing ovation.
At the start of the season, a lot of people would have found it hard to believe I would be here.
Prediction: The match will won by France (2-0) cause they’re much more stronger than Romania but in the world of football anything can happen.
France are 3/1 tournament favourites with Payet a 25/1 outsider to win the player of the tournament award.
Romania ought to have taken the lead in the opening five minutes when Nicolai Stanciu hit his shot straight back across goal at Hugo Lloris.
“It’s good for our safety”, 35-year-old Kyaw Zaw Han said. “It was a superb goal”.
Riding its luck from wasteful Romanian finishing, France went ahead in the 58th when Olivier Giroud headed in Payet’s cross from the right.
In the 48th minute, Stancu had a glorious chance for Romania after beating the offside trap but his aatempted bicycle kick went narrowly wide.
Eight minutes later Stancu was handed the chance to level after Patrice Evra’s silly foul on Nicolae Stanciu and, facing the Romania fans behind Lloris’ goal, calmly slotted home.
While high profile names like Karim Benzema, Raphael Varane and Jeremy Mathieu are all missing, the likes of Anthony Martial, Antoine Griezmann, Dmitri Payet and N’Golo Kante – to name but a few – make the French more than a match for any worldwide outfit.
After 57 minutes Giroud silenced his critics when he headed home from Payet’s cross after Romania keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu completely missed the ball as he jumped with the France striker.
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Receiving a pass from N’Golo Kante on the edge of the area, the forward jinked to his left before masterfully curled left-footed past Tatarusanu, before leaving the pitch in tears of joy having ensured France began their campaign with maximum points. He was saying with that performance, “you didn’t take me to the World Cup and I am going to show you”.
